Tuesday, December 6, 2011

John W. “Jack” Townsend, Jr, W3PRB, of Cabin John, Maryland, passed away October 29 due to complications from lung cancer. He was 87. Townsend -- an ARRL member -- was a rocket and satellite pioneer who was influential in creating the first meteorological, communications and Earth viewing satellite systems. He joined NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in 1959 and later served as its Director fr...